Arriving and adjusting to a new country as well as integrating to its culture and community are just a few of the defining aspects of the immigration process. These experiences show that immigration is more than just moving to another country; it’s a daily journey that requires physical and emotional endurance. Learning a language in itself can be a challenge for anyone, let alone learning a language in order to secure a job or simply develop relationships with others. However, as seen with some of the individuals in my research, there are things that can be done to support and aid immigrants in the integration process. Norway’s introductory program allowed families to learn more about life in the country while progressing towards learning Norwegian, finding a job, and establishing a permanent home. Alicia Spinner was able to find a community in her ESL class through her classmates and as a result found a community and learned more about various careers.
I hope that by reading through this website you have learned more about the immigration and integration process on a deeper level. But what now? Now that you’ve learned more about immigration, what should you do with this new knowledge? What you’ve learned about immigration can be applied across many scenarios and environments. For those who work in a government position, such as a lawmaker or advisor, knowing about the areas where immigrants may need support can help them act accordingly when creating new programs or laws regarding immigration. Even if you serve on a more local level such as city or community council, this information can help create initiatives for helping immigrants settle into the community. Perhaps you are the friend of someone who has recently moved to your country. I hope that my research would allow you to support them in ways you maybe hadn’t thought of before, or encourage you to continue doing what you’re doing. No matter who you are, I hope that this research has broadened your horizons about societal and cultural integration and the role it plays in the immigration process.